Affd. of Support Evidence - Benefit information?

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Alright, I'm trying to follow the "painting the whole picture" philosophy for this process. So I was thinking about the evidence requirements for the affidavit of support, and I was thinking that my benefit information helps to add some more finacial stablility to my situation.

I sit here and think, just a monetary salary is one thing, but when you add the monetary salary AND the benefits information, it paints a much more financially stable picture.

So, my first question is, what is your opinion on this? Would having my benefit information (health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and personal accident insurance) available to paint a fuller picture be beneficial?

Second question, if you think so, how do you go about demonstrating this? Letter from HR? Summary of benefits from the companies? Etc?

Alright, danke!

Cass (bebop the great)

[Bruce n Jen 0]

My opinion, you give them what they ask for, the form instructions are quite clear. That's what I'm doing.

I'm self-employed and I'm doing A and C. And I have my own practice so it's simple for me.

I don't see where doing as you say goes to any of the areas below.

As the sponsor, you must show you have sufficient income and/or financial resources to assure that the alien you are sponsoring will not become a public charge while in the United States.

Evidence should consist of copies of any or all of the following documentation listed below that are applicable to your situation.

Failure to provide evidence of sufficient income and/or financial resources may result in the denial of the alien's application for a visa or his or her removal from the United States.

The sponsor must submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial

institution where you have deposits, giving the

following details regarding your account:

1. Date account opened;

2. Total amount deposited for the past year;

3. Present balance.

B. Statement of your employer on business stationery,

showing:

1. Date and nature of employment;

2. Salary paid;

3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

C. If self-employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern.

D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of

bonds and name of record owner(s).

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Because for the K1 interview, the I-134 itself is "optional" as in, it's up to the individual embassy and even the individual consular officer to decide if it's necessary or not. As is all the evidence that goes along with it. You are trying to prove that the beneficiary won't become a public charge, and I think personally, that him being covered with insurance upon marriage, and me having security in my income if I get hurt or killed, helps to round out that. Maybe I'm wrong?

Cass (bebop the great)

[rebeccajo 14]

Because for the K1 interview, the I-134 itself is "optional" as in, it's up to the individual embassy and even the individual consular officer to decide if it's necessary or not. As is all the evidence that goes along with it. You are trying to prove that the beneficiary won't become a public charge, and I think personally, that him being covered with insurance upon marriage, and me having security in my income if I get hurt or killed, helps to round out that. Maybe I'm wrong?

Cass (bebop the great)

I'm not sure 'wrong' is the best word.

You're definately overthinking this.

They want to see dollars.

[ucla_cutie26 0]

I'm hoping you don't get killed Cass, that would be really sad.

Edited November 28, 2006 by ucla_cutie26

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Haha, I'm hoping I don't either!

Cass (bebop the great)

I'm hoping you don't get killed Cass, that would be really sad.

[Jersey Girl 2]

Benefits from an employer, and life insurance, are not considered part of the mix, no matter what kind of picture you'd like to paint. They're not liquid assets, that is, money you could get your hands on easily to support the alien on a day-to-day basis.

They ask for income and liquifiable assets such as savings and bonds. So pony up. Because that's the only picture you must paint. If you appear with a different kind of rationale, the officer could deny you based on the fact that you didn't follow instructions and he/she has no way to compute the assets you think are so relevant.

Stick with the program!

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Hmm, that's very true.

I guess my thinking was that if I ended up not being able to work, that there would be a way for him to still be supported even without my income? But I guess that's a whole lotta hypotheticals more than a consular officer wants to compute. Thanks!

Cass (bebop the great)

They're not liquid assets, that is, money you could get your hands on easily to support the alien on a day-to-day basis.

[Yodrak 7]

Cass,

You pose a good question. The 'totality of the circumstances' is something that consular officers are supposed to consider in their evaluation - you're thinking along the right line in that regard. If your income is marginal and you have little or no savings then the benefits information could possibly be the grain of sand that tips the scale in your favor.

If you're going to include the benefit information prepare a concise, easily understandable summary to put on top of whatever supporting materials you provide to document that you have the claimed benefits.

Yodrak

Alright, I'm trying to follow the "painting the whole picture" philosophy for this process. So I was thinking about the evidence requirements for the affidavit of support, and I was thinking that my benefit information helps to add some more finacial stablility to my situation.

I sit here and think, just a monetary salary is one thing, but when you add the monetary salary AND the benefits information, it paints a much more financially stable picture.

So, my first question is, what is your opinion on this? Would having my benefit information (health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and personal accident insurance) available to paint a fuller picture be beneficial?

Second question, if you think so, how do you go about demonstrating this? Letter from HR? Summary of benefits from the companies? Etc?

Alright, danke!

Cass

Edited November 28, 2006 by Yodrak

[meauxna 15]

If you appear with a different kind of rationale, the officer could deny you based on the fact that you didn't follow instructions and he/she has no way to compute the assets you think are so relevant.

Stick with the program!

[Yodrak 7]

Jersey Girl,

I'm not sure that I agree. Things like short and long-term disability insurance do put money in one's hands in time of need.

The 'totality of the circumstances' is part of the program, and I don't think that Cass is off-base in what she's thinking if she's on the margin.

Yodrak

Benefits from an employer, and life insurance, are not considered part of the mix, no matter what kind of picture you'd like to paint. They're not liquid assets, that is, money you could get your hands on easily to support the alien on a day-to-day basis.

....

Stick with the program!

[Jersey Girl 2]

Okay, Yodrak, I bow to your higher wisdom. It's only an amateurish opinion of mine to suggest one try to follow the instructions as exactly as possible. If one's income/assets are questionable, the next step is a co-sponsor. Right?

I'd hate to have to make a case that if I (the sponsor) got sick, I might receive disability benefits but only if an insurance company agreed. They generally have an agenda to get you back to work -- any work -- asap. Point is, this sort of "income" is iffy and hard to predict. A savings bond, on the other hand, is as good as cash.

[Bruce n Jen 0]

Boy this is all a real stretch. Read the language of the form: "As the sponsor, you must show you have sufficient income and/or financial resources to assure that the alien you are sponsoring will not become a public charge while in the United States." and "Statement of your employer on business stationery, showing: 2. Salary paid;"

The intent is that you have cash flow, INCOME. Insurance is not cash flow in the main, true disability insurance can be, but usually there can be a 30-90 day wait. Insurance is a benefit, NOT income and not a salary.

You're not answering the question per the form, and adding in un-asked for information. Let's see, if I were loan collections officer and I needed you to make payments, are you going to offer me your insurance benefits?

I don't think so.

[Jersey Girl 2]

[Yodrak 7]

brucejg,

Yes, it's a stretch, and I think I indicated as much when I wrote "If your income is marginal and you have little or no savings then the benefits information could possibly be the grain of sand that tips the scale in your favor." But the information is relevant, even if of little significance in most cases, and I commend Cass for thinking 'out of the box' and not wearing the vision-narrowing blinders that so many VJers seem to wear.

The evaluation of the public charge requirements for non-immigrant visas are highly subjective, not nearly as strictly defined as the requirements for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. People who are on or close to the margin would do well to take a hard look at all of their financial resources and put forth everything they have at their disposal that could show their financial situation in a more positive light. The chances that the adjudicating officer will consider the information may be low, but the chances are zero only if the information is not presented.

In your quotation you underlined the phrases "sufficient income" and "Salary paid" - why do you neglect the option of showing "and/or financial resources"? Why do you write about "un-asked for information" when people are invited to present any and all relevant information? And insurance is a financial resource that is specifically pointed out as information that one might provide for meeting the public charge requirements.

Yodrak

Boy this is all a real stretch. Read the language of the form: "As the sponsor, you must show you have sufficient income and/or financial resources to assure that the alien you are sponsoring will not become a public charge while in the United States." and "Statement of your employer on business stationery, showing: 2. Salary paid;"

The intent is that you have cash flow, INCOME. Insurance is not cash flow in the main, true disability insurance can be, but usually there can be a 30-90 day wait. Insurance is a benefit, NOT income and not a salary.

You're not answering the question per the form, and adding in un-asked for information. Let's see, if I were loan collections officer and I needed you to make payments, are you going to offer me your insurance benefits?

I don't think so.

Edited November 29, 2006 by Yodrak